I enjoyed that final tbh. It wasn't the highest quality throughout, but both brought some great stuff and attitudes.
Was more keen for a Paolini win, but Barbs gets her second slam and her winner's speech did get me a bit emotional. She might not be the most charismatic, but she is very endearing.
They both seem like lovely people who deserve every success; hopefully Jasmine will get her slam in due course. Worth noting that she joins the elite group of Serena, Venus and Henin in reaching RG and Wimbledon finals in the same year this millennium.
Was sure this was going to a third set tie break until Krejcikova broke serve at 3 all. As soon as that happened Paolini was done for, 4 deuces in the final game notwithstanding. Paolini would have been the more popular winner undoubtedly but she left herself too much to do.
Ha, Jasmine was so not done for, especially in that final game which could easily have had us back at 5-5. The break of course made things difficult but as the commentator was saying - "never write off Jasmine Paolini".
I'm sure I've talked about this in the past but I really felt Wimbledon let itself down today. No royals were in attendance so the presentation was made by a couple of admin people that no-one has ever heard of!! Meanwhile 3 great champions looked on from the royal box - Ann Jones, Martina and Billie Jean, any one of whom would have been worthy of the job. If ever there was a time to break with tradition and bring a former champion on court to present the trophy (as all the other GSs do) it was surely today.
I'm sure I've talked about this in the past but I really felt Wimbledon let itself down today. No royals were in attendance so the presentation was made by a couple of admin people that no-one has ever heard of!! Meanwhile 3 great champions looked on from the royal box - Ann Jones, Martina and Billie Jean, any one of whom would have been worthy of the job. If ever there was a time to break with tradition and bring a former champion on court to present the trophy (as all the other GSs do) it was surely today.
Super T, come on this is Wimbledon! LTA country. Its sponsorship and money that counts. Could have been the CEO of Rothesay. Royalty is the only entity that takes precedence. It would have been so emotional if Martina had presented the winner with the trophy though, I totally agree.
I agree with your sentiment that an opportunity was missed with so many former champions around and any one of which would have greatly improved it.
The admin people (three actually) just happened to be Deborah Jevans, Chair of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and Sandi Procter, President of the LTA.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is expected to attend the men's final as Patron.
-- Edited by the addict on Saturday 13th of July 2024 07:16:14 PM
I'm sure I've talked about this in the past but I really felt Wimbledon let itself down today. No royals were in attendance so the presentation was made by a couple of admin people that no-one has ever heard of!! Meanwhile 3 great champions looked on from the royal box - Ann Jones, Martina and Billie Jean, any one of whom would have been worthy of the job. If ever there was a time to break with tradition and bring a former champion on court to present the trophy (as all the other GSs do) it was surely today.
I'm sure Billie Jean would have been happy to present the trophy to Krejcikova. With Emma at the 2021 US Open, Nadal at the 2022 French Open and Sabalenka at the 2023 Australian Open, Wimbledon would have completed the slam of winning singles presentations by Billie Jean.
I'm sure I've talked about this in the past but I really felt Wimbledon let itself down today. No royals were in attendance so the presentation was made by a couple of admin people that no-one has ever heard of!! Meanwhile 3 great champions looked on from the royal box - Ann Jones, Martina and Billie Jean, any one of whom would have been worthy of the job. If ever there was a time to break with tradition and bring a former champion on court to present the trophy (as all the other GSs do) it was surely today.
I agree with this 100%. Totally underwhelming presentation. There were so many tennis legends there , many of them had been commentators throughout the week and Wimbledon must be the only slam where none were asked to take part. And when the topic of Jana Novotna came up everyone remembers that moment when she cried on the Duchess of Kents shoulder after losing to Steffi. Why call it the Royal Box when no Royals are there to take part in the ceremony ?
Lovely to see Kelly Rask awarded the honour of umpiring the ladies singles, especially after the vile abuse she received on here and/or social media for putting Harriet Dart in her place at Nottingham. Love always conquers hate.
-- Edited by Jeff Stelling on Sunday 14th of July 2024 10:38:23 PM